*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 21.*
Krishna roamed in the fresh forest with the cattle and his companions.
He played upon the flute and the Gopis forgot themselves in hearing his
music. They saw before their mind's eye the dancing Krishna filling the
holes of the flute with nectar flowing from his lips, the peacock
feather on his head, Karnikara flower on his ears, his cloth yellow like
gold and the Vaijayanti garland round his neck.
Some exclaimed: -- "What better could the eyes feed upon than the lovely
faces of Rama and Krishna, with the flutes touching their lips and their
smiling glances."
Some said: -- "How beautiful they look with garlands of mango twigs,
peacock feather and blue lotus. In the assembly of Gopas, they look like
heroes on the theatrical stage."
Others said: -- "What did that bamboo piece of a flute do that it should
drink so hard the nectar flowing from Krishna's lips, the special
possession of the Gopis, that nothing should remain but the taste
thereof. The water that nourished it is thrilling with joy and the plant
of which it is a shoot is shedding joysome tears."
Some said: -- "Look, O companions! how lovely does Vrindavana look from
the touch of Sri Krishna's lotus feet! Look there, the peacock madly
dances to the tune of the flute and other animals stand dumb on the
summit of the hills and witness the scene. There is no spot on the earth
like Vrindavana."
Others said: -- "How blessed are these female deer that In the company
of their husbands hear the music of the flute and make an offering of
their loving looks!"
Other Gopis said: -- "So tempting is this form of Krishna and so
alluring is the music of his flute that even Deva girls become lost to
themselves. Look, how the cows drink that music with ears erect. And
even the calves stand with their mothers' milk in their mouths, eagerly
listening to that sound. Those birds are no worse than Rishis, for they
sit high on trees whence they can have a full view of Krishna and with
eyes closed they silently hear the sweet music of the flute. Even the
rivers shew the love transformation of their hearts by their whirls and
they stop their course to embrace the feet of Krishna with their raised
billows serving as hands and offering lotus flowers at those feet. The
clouds give shadow and they shed dewy flowers on Krishna. Most fortunate
is Govardhana, for Krishna drives cattle on its sides and it makes its
offerings of edibles and drink."
The Gopis became full of Krishna (Tanmaya).